The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-17
INSTRUCTIONS TO UMPIRES
President Young Gives an Official In
depreciation of the. New Rules.
The indianapolis and Cincinnati Reserve
Nine Play Poorly-The Opening of the As
sociatiOns Season--Base- Ball Notes.
epecial TO the Indianapolis Journal

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WAsHrSGToN April I6-Mr n L. Young
president Of the National League, has prepared
the following circular of instructions to league
umpires:
To the Umpires of the National League:
/. have noted the following instructions and
amplifcations Of the rules with q view to secur-
ing the greatest possible uniformity in admins
tering the revised CODE
Rule 5, Section 2, contains the first radical
change from the old code, and. to my mind is
too plain to require any special explanation or
Interpretation. The pitcher must face the bats
man. both shoulders square with the plate, with
rear foot on the rear line of the box. 1t should
not make any difference il heel projects little
outside Of box. The prohibition in this section
against raising the right foot is not intended to
bar the pitcher from doing so when throwing to
a base, and refers to the delivery and the pre-
paratory motions for delivery of tho bail to the
bat
Rule 7, in the closing sentences refers to
"misnterpretaton of the rules" The intent OF
this restriction upon players who are tempted to
enter into argument with the umpire is to bar
all questions OF fact. Ii the umpire makes
base decision it must stand without comment,
unless the captain shall deem that the umpire in
formulating his Judgment OF the play puts a
wrong construction upon the written law OF the
game. Even in this event 1t should be remem-
bered that the umpire is the sole judge. though
in such he IL at liberty to give the OBJECT
ing captain a hearing The umpire. however. is
the supreme authority on the Interpretation of a
rule during the progress of game
Rule ID. Section 2 If both balls are h.t over
the fence in quick succession let new hall be
furnished even though of the original two
should come back during the interval of pro-
ducing the new ball. The object OF this rule is
to expedite the game. and no technicalities
should be allowed to stand IN the way of the en-
forcement of the true spirit of the regulation.
Rule l3, Section 4, refers to the ball becoming
mis-shapen. In enforcing this provision the
question Of degree should not be taken into con-
sideratiou. If the umpire is satisfied that the
ball is not practically a perfect sphere, he should
call for a new one A ball not perfectly round
will not take true fight, nor will it bound at a
natural angle The slightest deviation in shape
should be taken as sufficient cause for the en-
forcement Of this rule
Rule 10, regarding the clearing and policing
Of the grounds. should be reasonably construed,
more especially on holidays Umpires should
remember that when large crowds are assembled
there apt to be number of hot heads ready
to seize any excuse for disturbance. Great
care should be taken to avoid anything OF this
sort. The effect OF riotous proceedings on
bali ground is very preiudcial to the best inter-
ests of the game. When, however, it becomes
necessary to enforce this regulation it should be
done promptly and firmly.
Rule 25, Section /, with regard to the balk,
should be strictly enforced, and held to prohibit
any and every attempt to catch the runner by
the aid Of deceptive motions
Rule 81. Section g. This rule does not include
IN attempt TO hunt the ball fair. even though it
goes foul Umpires can very easily and readily
distinguish between the two cases. In any ques
lion of reasonable doubt decide per rule. A
hunted foul ball, or any obvious attempt to foul
the ball, 10 a strike. If such strike be the fourth
the batter shall be declared out. and in no case
shall base be run such strike. This is in
accordance with the true intent and spirit of the
rulel
Rule AZ, Section l. In striking ont of turn
the player that should have gone to the bat is
the one that is out
Rule Al. Section l. AS to holding the fourth
strike under this rule, the batter Is out whether
the ball is caught or not on the fourth strike. If
there ia a man on first base and two men not
out. In all cases where first is not occupied the
ball must be caught In case of passed ball on
fourth strike this rule does not prevent the men
occupying bases from taking as many bases as
they can. But II the fourth strike shall be called
by the umpire upon an obvious attempt to make
q foul hit, or foul hit is made, bases shall
be run The spirit of this rule should be remem-
bered. 1t was drafted for the purpose OF pre-
venting force out or q double play a fourth
strike intentionally muffed AS to whether the
ball was so Intentionally dropped has always
been vexing question to decide. This regula-
ton abolishes the distinction.
Rule 48, Section 4, gives the batsman base
upon being hit by ball The fact that he
strikes at the ball should not be taken into con-
sideration, and this regulation should be care
fully distinguished from the clause defining a
dead-ball. Umpres should be very careful about
declaring that man intentionally permits him
self to be hit
Rule 90. Section G, is in regard to the fielder
such case the batter not out il the ball should
fasten itself in the catcher's mask. This is
plainly an accident, and should not be considered
q catch, though there is no fraud attempted by
the player, as in the case of fly being caught
Rule So, Section /, which refers to running out
side the three-feetline in making first base should
be literally construed. 1t was intended to pre-
nhafr M Gald nv tho
Should the batted ball be long fly, for instance,
this rule should not be construed as putting the
runner out for making a wide detour from the
base-path to get good start
Rule 3d. Section 9. A runner who, having
oyerrun first base. then makes any attempt tc
60 TO second, forfeits his exemption from being
put out, even Though he does then turn to the
right. The direction in which he may turn does
not exempt him from the liability which he as
sumes in attempting to 90 to second The spirit
well as the letter Of the law should be borne
10 mind in this instance.
Rule SO, Section IL. If the ball has plainly
passed or been batted through fielder. and the
base runner has ran fairly behind the fielder be
should not be declared out. 1t is no longer
fair batted ball The intent Of this rule was
simply to prevent tho runner from obstructine
the fielding of basted ball. TIE umpire should
be particularly careful, in enforcing this rule
to use judgment.
REMARKS.
If batter has four balls called on him, and the
next Dafl Is pltcned VIDE and hltS MIN, 1t should
be called ball, and the batter given his base
and credited with base hit and charged with
time at bat.
The umpire should be careful, when SECOND
base is occupied. to note whether third is cut by
the runner coming in. In case of close play
at first the umpire's attention is apt TO be drawn
entirely in that direction. The temptation il
then very strong upon the runner to give thrt
a wide berth. and rarely more than a few spec
tators notice the fact An umpire cannot, O
course, see everything. but he should note points
like the one cited, which have become too com
mon usage
In past seasons it has been the habit of certain
pitchers, upon the ball being batted TO An in
fielder, to cut across the irst-base path just il
time to intercept and slow the base-runner un
der the pretense of backing first. Umpire
should keep an eye open for this subterfuge ant
promptly check this practice.
In judging balls and strikes a little peculiarit.
of-certain catchers should be observed. bal
is caught and held where catcher and the um
pres attention is called to its position. Judg
ment Is then asked on the alleged strike. Um
pires should remember that though the ball b
held waist high and directly behind the plate, j
may have passed in its curving fight beyond tn
outer limit of the plate.
A watchful eye. and, above all things a coo
head. will usually carry an umpire safel
through the difficulties that beset his path
N. Z. YOUNG. President National League.
WARRINGTON April IA.